Holland America Line is bringing a new culinary experience to its 2025 Grand Voyages by welcoming chef Ethan Stowell and chocolatier Jacques Torres (pictured above) onboard, the company announced in a press release.
The professionals will join a segment of the Grand World Voyage and the Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole, respectively, offering guests exclusive events and interactive culinary sessions.
“Including Chefs Ethan Stowell and Jacques Torres on our Grand Voyages builds on our commitment to delivering unique and exclusive travel experiences on these longer cruises,” said Michael Smith, Holland America Line’s senior vice president for guest experience and product development.
“These two extraordinary chefs will enable our guests to enjoy world-class culinary events that complement the breathtaking destinations and memorable moments of these itineraries,” he added.
Ethan Stowell, celebrated for his innovative approach to Pacific Northwest cuisine, will join the 124-day Grand World Voyage from April 19-25, 2025, onboard the Zuiderdam.
According to Holland America, Stowell will participate in live cooking demonstrations, exclusive dinner experiences featuring destination-specific menus and attend a special pizza event as the ship sails out of Naples, Italy.
Additionally, Stowell will host a “Coffee Chat” for guests where they will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn from his culinary approach.
Jacques Torres, the acclaimed chocolatier and pastry chef, will join the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole onboard the Volendam.
Torres will join the voyage from April 29 to May 4, offering live demonstrations and exclusive dessert tastings.
Guests can look forward to interactive sessions where Torres will share his culinary journey and insights into the world of chocolate, Holland America said.
During his time onboard, he will also lead the Chocolate Surprise parade — a late-evening procession of Torres’ chocolate confections that happens once a cruise on every ship. Additionally, Torres will host an exclusive dinner in Pinnacle Grill featuring his delectable desserts.
Of note, on April 24, 2025, Volendam and Zuiderdam will meet in Barcelona for a joint overnight call, bringing the two Grand Voyages together for a celebration. Special festivities involving both ships will mark the occasion of the perfectly planned dual visit. The Grand Meetup dinner will feature a show-stopping chocolate globe, an exquisite creation by Chef Torres, representing the world-spanning journey of the two ships.
According to Holland America, its 2025 Grand Voyages offer “an unparalleled travel experience,” with the Zuiderdam visiting 49 ports in 30 countries across six continents and the Volendam exploring 68 ports across five continents and 26 countries.
Both voyages feature overnight calls and unique experiences, including scenic cruising in Antarctica, the Amazon River, the Great Barrier Reef and more.
